The healthcare landscape in Portugal is evolving, notably post-pandemic, with escalating medical costs and doctors opting out of insurance agreements. Hence, choosing a suitable health insurance has become pivotal, especially concerning competitive reimbursements outside insurers’ networks.

Some key considerations when choosing a health insurance in Portugal:

1. Coverage assessment – evaluate if coverage aligns with medical needs;
2. Exclusions and pre-existing conditions – understand waiting periods and exclusions;
3. Provider network – ensure access to a wide network of healthcare providers;
4. Deductibles and copayments – understand additional costs on top of the premium;
5. Additional services and customer support – assess supplementary services and customer support;
6. Premiums and financial conditions – compare costs, coverage and especially terms for an informed decision;
7. Territorial scope and coverage abroad – confirm if a domestic policy is enough or if you also need coverage outside Portugal;
8. Role of an insurance broker for expats – brokers offer vital guidance and comprehensive understanding for expats navigating local insurance dynamics.

Read more about our thoughts on this matter in Portugal Resident's new article: here.

MEDAL is delighted to recap and reflect on the recent BLiP Expo 2023, held on the 14th and 15th of October and organised by afpop. With over 4.000 visitors in attendance and more than a hundred exhibitors, this event stood as a testament to the Algarve's spirit of community and growth: watch here.

At MEDAL, our dedication to the Algarve, its Expats community and our unwavering support for BLiP Expo remains resolute. We take great pride in our longstanding support of this remarkable event, having been there from its inaugural edition, as it embodies the core values of progress, prosperity, and community. Our commitment to serving the unique insurance needs of the region only deepens as we move forward.

If you attended BLiP Expo 2023, we extend our gratitude for your participation and the opportunity to connect with you. For those who couldn't make it, rest assured that we are always here to provide the insurance solutions and expert guidance you need to enhance your quality of life in Portugal.

The dates are booked for 2024, so mark you calendar for 12th and 13th of October and be sure not to miss the Algarve’s premier business expo in Portimão next year.

Professional Liability Insurance
Together with Hiscox, S.A. (represented in Portugal by Innovarisk, Lda.) we offer a professional liability solution to protect your business. 

Because mistakes and/or unforeseen events happen:

•     We can transfer the obligation to indemnify third parties to an insurance policy, guaranteeing the continuity of the company/operation;
•     Clients are increasingly demanding insurance to win more important contracts;
•     Even the best professionals make mistakes, and those mistakes cost money;
•     We're all subject to claims, even if we're right.

This policy guarantees:

•     Unintentional breach of contract;
•     Defence costs;
•     Professional errors, omissions and negligence;
•     Breach of the duty of confidentiality;
•     Defamation;
•     Costs to avoid a Potential Claim;
•     Material or Bodily Damage (Civil Liability Exploitation);
•     Insured's Own Losses:
    a) Employee dishonesty; b) Loss of Documents.

Some examples of Covers essential to IT activity:

Breach of Contract
When the deadline for completion of a project is exceeded, causing damage to the client, because the "Key Person" has been ill or has left the company.
- Our policy covers it!

Professional errors, omissions and negligence
When the work carried out by the professional does not meet the expectations of the end client.
- Our policy covers it!

Around 80 golf enthusiasts gathered at the Penina Hotel & Golf Resort on September 13 to participate in the fourteenth annual Golf Tournament, sponsored by MEDAL in partnership with afpop. This prestigious event showcased not only the love for the sport, but also a commitment to fostering friendly competition and camaraderie among participants. 

The lush fairways of Penina Championship Course provided the perfect setting for a day of sporting excellence. Golfers from various backgrounds and skill levels came together under the sunny Algarve skies to test their capabilities on a challenging course. The tournament celebrated the sport of golf, emphasizing not only competition but also the joy of playing in a picturesque setting.

Following a day filled with excitement on the golf course, participants gathered for a very pleasant lunch at the Hotel. This provided a delightful opportunity for golfers to relax, share stories of their rounds, and enjoy culinary delights in a convivial atmosphere.

The pinnacle of the event was the official awards ceremony held at the end of the tournament. Golfers eagerly awaited the announcement of the winners in both categories. In the Ladies category, after winning in 2021, Ms. Sally Brown emerged victorious once again this year, restating her exceptional skills and determination. In the Gentlemen's category, Mr. Serafim Carvalho demonstrated his prowess on the greens, securing the top spot. Congratulations to both winners and to all the other amazing competitors!

The awards ceremony was not just about recognizing the winners; it was also a celebration of the sportsmanship and camaraderie that define the golfing community. All participants, organization and sponsor came together to applaud the achievements of their fellow golfers and share in the excitement of a day well spent.

The fourteenth annual Golf Tournament sponsored by MEDAL in partnership with afpop was a resounding success, celebrating the essence of golf and the joy of friendly competition. As golfers look back on this memorable day, they are undoubtedly eager to return for the fifteenth annual Golf Tournament, where they will once again tee off against worthy competitors and enjoy the spirit of the game.

MEDAL and afpop, through their continued support of this event, have shown their commitment to promoting excellence in golf and fostering a sense of community among enthusiasts and all expats in the Algarve region. With each passing year, the tournament continues to thrive, becoming a beacon for golf lovers and a symbol of sportsmanship.

MEDAL will be sponsoring, once again and alongside with Associação Turismo do Algarve/VisitAlgarve, this year's edition of BLiP - the Better Living in Portugal Exhibition, organised by afpop (Association of Foreign Property Owners in Portugal - www.afpop.com).

Join us in the Portimão Arena, on 14 - 15 October, and discover over 100 businesses and their solutions to your needs, with thousands of visitors in attendance. Don't miss out!

For more info, please visit: www.betterlivinginportugal.com ou www.facebook.com/blip.afpop

We're pleased to announce that MEDAL will be sponsoring SHARE Algarve 2023, a two-day Marketing and Innovation Conference filled with excitement, inspiration, and networking opportunities. The event will be held on October 22^nd and 23^rd, at the Algarve Congress Center in Vilamoura.

At SHARE Algarve, the attendees will have the chance to connect with like-minded individuals, share ideas, and gain valuable insights from industry experts. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your journey, this event offers something for everyone.

Expect engaging keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and informative panel discussions. Discover the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in your field. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and grow both personally and professionally.

Take advantage of the beautiful surroundings of Vilamoura and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere during the event breaks. Connect with fellow attendees, build new relationships, and create lasting memories. Mark your calendar for SHARE Algarve 2023 and get ready for an unforgettable experience!

You can purchase your tickets with a 20% discount, simply by entering the promocode MEDAL20 while purchasing it on the event's website: www.sharealgarve.com

Thanks to our experience and in-depth knowledge of the Portuguese market, we are able to offer unique and exclusive products that provide good value for money for all ages and nationalities.

It’s important to keep in mind that the market offers different options, but just a few solutions meet what an expat needs in terms of covers, limits of sum insured, etc.

For example, it is not easy to get an insurance policy in Portugal that undertakes all pre-existing medical conditions, but it is extremely important, otherwise they will all be automatically excluded in your new policy.

Before making a decision on a new insurance policy, we recommend you look closely at covers and limits of the sums insured for in-patient (hospitalisation, surgery) and out-patient (consultations/ exams/ treatments) care and confirm whether the insurance you’re taking provides cover for International Medical Assistance for serious illness and/or Second Medical Opinion, or even Travel Assistance.

It is also very important to double-check the co-payments values (amount that the client will have to pay for a medical procedure when using the insurance policy) inside and outside the Network of Hospitals and Clinics in order to avoid unpleasant surprises in case of hospitalisation, for instance.

When we talk about health insurance, we must have in mind how important the quality of the insurance policy is, but also the quality of the insurance broker and the knowledge they have of the policy conditions and how all the system works around the client (hospital/clinics and the insurance company). It is vital to assure the client that when they actually need to use the insurance policy, they will get a higher level of service than they expected and are paying for.

As expats living in Portugal, we advise you to choose an insurance broker that guarantees a personalised service, with experienced staff to help you and clarify your questions and bureaucracy with the hospitals and clinics. Sometimes it’s necessary to obtain previous authorisations for exams or surgeries, and you’ll need to have the maximum assistance in all those moments.

At MEDAL, and as Portugal’s leading insurance brokers for expats, we offer our clients the service that meets their needs through our specialised health insurance department. And with our offices in Portimão, Almancil and Estoril, we are able to provide a personal service to all expats and our clients to suit their lifestyle.

For more information on health insurance and how it works in Portugal, please don't hesitate to contact us: here.

A reminder for the golfers that the fourteenth annual Golf Tournament, sponsored by MEDAL in partnership with afpop, will take place at Penina, on September 13. As usual, it will be a shotgun start at 8h45 and afpop will confirm all details in the upcoming August edition of its UPDATE magazine.

Any Members wishing to take part in the tournament can register their interest by contacting the afpop office on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Law No. 32/2023, of July 10^th, was published today in the Diário da República (DR), which eliminates the obligation to display the car insurance couplet as of the current July 11^th (date of entry into force), accordingly amending the Decree-Law No. 291/2007, of 21 August – which institutes the compulsory insurance system for motor vehicle civil liability.

In addition to the elimination of the obligation to display the motor insurance sticker, from this date onwards its now contemplated, accordingly, the possibility of issuing documents which proves the insurance validity and its availability through electronic/digital means, without prejudice to their issue and availability on paper, without additional costs, at the request of the policyholder or, where applicable, by the insured person, or in cases where they do not demonstrably have adequate electronic means for the safe transmission and reception of these documents.

The Supervisory Authority for Insurance and Pension Funds (ASF) may establish, in a regulatory rule, the rules that are necessary for the implementation of the new format of documents proving insurance, it is also determined that documents issued through electronic means may now replace the certificate of insurance on paper for the purposes of the provisions of the Highway Code in Portugal, ceasing to constitute an offence the circulation of a vehicle without the motor insurance label.

In line with these news, MEDAL is also preparing to increasingly provide and send by e-mail (digital format) to its Clients the documents related to their insurances (namely and among others: Proposals, Policies, Receipts, Green Cards / Certificate of Insurance), with the sending of the physical/printed documents depending on the express request of each interested Client.

Henrique Pinheiro and João Pinheiro, General Manager and Director of Operations at MEDAL, respectively, recently shared their vision and experience on the evolution of the socio-economic landscape in the Algarve region, among other topics related to MEDAL's activity.

You can read the full interview in the new Portugal Resident article: here.